[NIV] 19 Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul anddragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. - P136
21 They preached the gospel in that city and won alargenumber of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Ico-nium and Antioch, 22 strengthening the disciples andencouraging them to remain true to the faith. "We mustgo through many hardships to enter the kingdom ofGod," they said. - P136
27 On arriving there, they gathered the church togetherand reported all that God had done through them andhow he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. - P137
Some Jews stir up a crowd to stone Paul. They leave him outside the citythinking he is dead, but he is not. - P137
Paul and Barnabas continue their travels toencourage and strengthen churches. They appoint elders and commit themto God. - P137
They sail back to Antioch and share what God has done through themand how he has opened the Gentiles‘ hearts to have faith. - P137
Paul is stoned in Lystra after some Jews from Antioch and Iconiumpersuade the crowds that his preaching should be condemned. - P138
Thestoning is so brutal that they are certain Paul is dead. But unexpectedly,
Paul getsback up and goes to Derbe with Barnabas the following day,
to preach the gospel there. - P138
They then return to Lystra, Iconium, andAntioch, to encourage the believers and remind them that they willface suffering, just as Paul did. - P138
In our world that is increasingly hostileto the gospel, those who put their trust in it will inevitably be tested.
The world neither understands nor accepts the message of Christ so weshould not be surprised or dismayed when we experience opposition. - P138
Paul and Barnabas continue their journey and visit various cities-Pamphylia, Perga, Attalia and then head back to Antioch. It is inthis city that Paul and Barnabas were first sent out as missionaries andreceived God‘s grace to fulfill all the work they have completed until thispoint. - P138
After arriving in Antioch, Paul and Barnabas share about all thework they have been able to accomplish, declaring how God‘s grace hasworked through them in their missionary endeavors. - P138
It is always God‘sgrace that empowers the lives of His people, enabling us to do His will,
especially when we face suffering for choosing to follow Him. - P138
Let ustake time to celebrate God‘s grace with other believers, to tell and hearwhat He has accomplished through us. - P138
|